Smith surgery a success

Manchester United have declared surgery on Alan Smith's horror injury to be 'a success' despite the possibility of 12 months on the sidelines.

Smith broke his leg and dislocated his ankle in United's 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

The severity of the injury and the shocked reaction of players from both teams as they raced to the aid of the stricken England star - although the player's agent Alex Black was quick to play down fears Smith may never play again.

The 24-year-old will remain in hospital for the next few days, and United officials are hopeful about his future too. A United spokesman said: "The operation was a success.

Alan will remain in hospital for a couple of days, and the leg will be in plaster for several weeks. Everybody connected with the club is wishing Alan well for a speedy recovery."

But, while the initial reaction of Liverpool fans to the incident was disgraceful, Black said Smith recognised most were offering sympathy as he made his way off the pitch on a stretcher, needing oxygen to help ease the pain.

"He was a little bit delirious as he was coming off but he was able to recognise that not just the Manchester United fans but a lot of the Liverpool fans were giving him a good round of applause," Black told Sky Sports News.

Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has shrugged off the abuse of Liverpool fans at Anfield as "part of the game".

Neville was booed every time he touched the ball by the home fans after the 31-year-old's wild celebrations in the previous meeting between the sides last month.

But Neville, who has never wasted any opportunity to push his allegiance to United, has no complaints about the treatment.

He told BBC GMR: "I have no reaction to the Alan Smith taunts. "These things are part of football and you have to accept them."

He added: "We are getting a little bit too carried away with shouts from the crowd. These are minor incidents.

"When you come to Liverpool, you expect to be given a tough time. Do you expect their supporters to smile at us and say 'go on lads, enjoy yourself out there?' That is not the way it is. This is football and it is important to a lot of people from both sides."

Neville is due to face an Football Association improper conduct charge on Tuesday for his over-the-top badge-kissing exercise.

In theory, the long-serving full-back could be hit by a ban which would rule him out of United's Carling Cup final encounter with Wigan next week. However, far more likely is a fine and a warning not to repeat the act.

It could be argued Neville suffered enough punishment at Anfield anyway with the constant baiting, which was only made worse by United's 1-0 defeat. However, in his usual straight-forward manner, Neville claimed to have no complaints about his treatment.

"I nail my colours to the mast and I expect and accept it is not going to be accepted by the Liverpool fans," he said.

"I have been to Anfield a lot down the years. The reception was not too bad and as long as the abuse doesn't boil over onto the pitch, I don't have a problem with it. It is part of the game."